Monday, January 6, 2020

Relaxing on Canandaigua Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Relaxing on Canandaigua Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911109
© copyright Mike Kraus

As I walk to the dock, a cool brisk breeze comes off the calm waters of Canandaigua Lake.  The steam rises from my cocoa thermos mug as I open it for every sip.  My every step is the crunching of dried autumn leaves.  We're very fortunate and grateful to live in a place like this.  And the Adirondack chairs are lined up to see the finale of this autumn sunset.

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Friday, January 3, 2020

Aunt's Texas House

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Aunt's Texas House
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911104
© copyright Michael Kraus

Finding the perfect gift is always difficult.  But what do you get someone who's moving to a new home?  Well, she had a great idea for her family, which was also appropriate since she's an architect.  Her vision was to create paintings of their homes that were true to life; but dreamlike.  To capture their essence and memories.  If it's "the thought that counts" in gift giving, she won Christmas this year.  And, I'm honored to have been a small part of it.


More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:



Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Sunflowers In Provence France


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that you've had a memorable 2019.  It's been another incredible year full of shows, collaborations, and painting.  I'm very fortunate to have you in my life.  And I look forward to more excitement in 2020.  THANKS AGAIN!

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus

MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

A sad start to 2020 with the announcement that Whitman Works Gallery will be closing it's doors.  Derek and Carol have been great gallerists, supporters, and friends over the past few years.  While it's the end of this part of the journey, I'm looking forward to the start of their next adventure.

All pieces 25% OFF at Whitman Works Gallery until everything is gone and the doors are closed.  You won't find better prices on original art than this.  To see available pieces, please visit:

Whitman Works Gallery
1826 Penfield Road
Penfield, New York
(585) 420-8654
https://www.whitmanworks.com

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

Monday, December 30, 2019

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201912116
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/twilight-woods-by-mike-kraus-blue-purple-trees-forest-woods-nature-gifts-christmas-hanukkah-eid_print?sku=s6-11937360p4a1v45

I follow the winding path not knowing where I'll end up.  The trees rustle in the breeze stirring up the aromas of the forest.  A freshness one always has to remind themselves of in civilization.  The light refracts in strange ways at this time.  It's when the surreal becomes the real.

This piece would look best in a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, light purple, black, white, grey, or wood.


More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Friday, December 27, 2019

Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Taco 'Bout Awesome #347
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
201912119
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/625605604/taco-bout-awesome-347-artist-trading

Many Mexicans remained in the southwest after the invasion of the Mexican-American War.  While the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised Mexicans and Native Americans in the captured territory US citizenship, they lost their civil and political rights for at least 120 years .  From this came a group of women entrepreneurs called the "Chili Queens" that sold tacos as street vendors, an easy to make meal for the silver miners of 18th century Mexico.  When the railroads came in the 1880s, the tourist sought out the Chili Queen's tacos just as much as any other attraction.  From there, tacos evolved to use ingredients available in the United States and the development of food processing; including iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes.  This culinary delight is a tribute to our turbulent shared American history.  And something to remember every time we celebrate Taco Tuesday.

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion. It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Monday, December 23, 2019

On a Chicago Street Corner

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On a Chicago Street Corner
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
201912123
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/555220975/on-a-chicago-street-corner-original

In the ROCHESTER, NEW YORK area and still looking for last minute gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa?  Contact me and we'll find a way to give art to your loved ones.

Pierre left his family's struggling farm to find work in nearby St Romuald, Quebec as a carpenter's apprentice.  There were many nights his young wife and seven children went to bed hungry.  And when Pierre's wife and son died in 1882, it was too much for him to endure.  He quickly sold off his meager possessions, remarried, and boarded various trains until he reached Muskegon, Michigan to work in a myriad of factories.  After several years and eight more children, he had an opportunity to work as a carpenter constructing the interiors of trains.  For the next 17 years, that's what he did in Jacksonville, Illinois.  His expertise made him highly desirable to the Pullman Railcar Company in Chicago.  When Pierre and his wife Melvina moved into their humble apartment, it was the first time they've had an empty nest in their 32 years of marriage.  These were some of their happiest years.  Melvina enjoyed her new friends and all the amenities South Chicago had to offer.  Pierre had success as a crew boss at an iconic American business.  My great-great grandparents didn't know what to expect when they emigrated to the United States.  But they were grateful for the opportunity it provided them and their children.  And they worked hard every day to show it.    


Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
201912122
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/224142863/twilight-woods-original-acrylic-painting

The last day to ship before Christmas is TODAY December 20th
The last day to ship before Kwanzaa is December 21st

HAPPY HANUKKAH!

I follow the winding path not knowing where I'll end up.  The trees rustle in the breeze stirring up the aromas of the forest.  A freshness one always has to remind themselves of in civilization.  The light refracts in strange ways at this time.  It's when the surreal becomes the real.



Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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